Method of fractionating vapors



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@00L/NG F Reued July 4, 1950 METHOD 0F FnAcTIoNATING vAPons Florian V. Atkeson, Springdale, Pa. original No. 2,330,326, dated september 2s, 1943,

Serial No. 392,932, May 10, 1941.

Application for reissue August 7, 1947, Serial No. 767,147

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue 7 Claims.

it nds particular utility in the fractionation of hydrocarbon vapors, and for illustrative .purposes its application to such use is hereinafter described without limiting the invention to such application.

The objects of my invention include a substantial increase, within a compact apparatus of small size, of the area of contact of reflux liquid with the vapors during fractionation and a substantial increase in the surface area of the apparatus at a different temperature from the vapors and contacted by the vapors as compared with the conventional fractionating apparatus, such as a bubbletower.

Another object of my invention is the easier control of the temperature gradient during fractionation of a, mixture of vapors, which my invention contemplates providing by defining a long path of travel for the vapors within a compactl apparatus and by subjecting each cross section of the stream of the mixture of vapors to a temperature gradient facilitating their selective condensation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a method of and apparatus for accurately and completely condensing selectively a mixture of vapors having condensing points differing only slightly.

Another purpose of my invention is the provision of a method of and apparatus for fractionally [condensing] distilling a mixture of vapors of different condensing or boiling points either in one apparatus, from which condensates of diierent condensing points are withdrawn at different levels, or in a plurality of devices, through which the vapor mixture in liquid form is passed successively and from each of which a condensate having a predetermined condensing point or range of condensing points is withdrawn or separated.

Other objects of my invention include the provision of an apparatus for fractionating vapors of different condensing points which is compact in size and inexpensive in manufacture.

Embodiments of my invention capable of performing these objects and providing these aci-'- vantages and others are described in the following specification, which may be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

sectional views of other forms of my invention.

Referring to the [drawing] drawings, which [is] are for illustrative purposes only, the numeral Il indicates a fractionating apparatus which includes a tower I2, having a. domed top I3, and a bottom plate I4 having a central opening I5 communicating through a depending baie I6 with a bubble .plate chamber I1. The bubble plate chamber I1 is provided with a plurality of bubble plates I8,A illustrated as three in number, each of, which includes an upwardly projecting vapor 'pipe I9 with a cap 20 positioned over the upper end thereof and extending downwardly therearound to adjacent the upper surface of the bubble plate I8, so that vapors passing upwardly through the pipe I9 are directed downwardly through liquid upon the bubble plate I8 before continuing their passage upwardly to the tower I2. Each bubble plate I8 is provided with a liquid pipe I9a having a. cap 20a for passing liquid downwardly therethrough, the bubble plates I8 acting to smooth out the flow of vapors before the vapors enter the tower I2, [making the rate of passage of the vapors through the tower more uniform and limiting the vapors entering the tower to those having the desired range of condensing temperatures] The fractionating apparatus II includes also a kettle or still 2l positioned below and communicating with the bubble plate chamber I1. The still 2| may be heated in any suitable manner, as for example, by a steam coil 22, and is provided with an outlet pipe 2Ia in the bottom thereof for withdrawing residue therefrom, or for connection to conjventional sump tanks or another fractionating apparatus corresponding to apparatus 11. A liquid supply pipe 23 is provided for supplying liquid to the still 2I for vaporizaftion therein and may be connected to the bubble plate chamber I l above the [lowermost] uppermost of the bubble plates I8, so that the incoming liquid oil exerts a reflux action upon the upwardly traveling vapors from the still 2|.

Provided within the tower I2 is a [vapor] flow line in the' form of a coil [of] pipe 24 of metal of good heat conductivity such, for example, as copper. The coil 24 is formed so that adjacent convolutions are in contact with each other and so that its lower end communicates with the central opening I5 of the bottom .plate I4 of the tower I2. 'Ihe upper end of the coil-24 is connected to a riser pipe which communicates through a pipe 26 with a condenser 21 of conventional construction or another fractionating device similar to the fractionating device II.

Positioned within the tower I2 with its outer wall in contact with the coil 24 is a cooling jacket 32 annular in cross section and including an inner wall 33, an outer wall 34, and top and bottom walls and 3B, respectively. An inlet pipe 31 extends through the wall of the tower I2 and communicates with the cooling jacket 32 near the upper endwall 35, and an outlet pipe 38 communicates with the cooling jacket 32 adjacent the lower end wall 36.

The coil 24 is formed so that its external diameter is substantially less than lthe internal diameter of the tower I2, and the space between the vertical coil 24 and the wall of the tower I2 is lled with a heat insulating material 39 extending f from the bottom plate I4 of the tower I2ito a top plate which extends between the upper end of the cooling jacket 32 and the periphery of the domed cover I3.

As illustrated, the condenser 21 includes inlet and outlet pipes 28 and 29, respectively, for supplying-a cooling medium around a plurality of vapor pipes within the condenser 21, an outlet pipe 3U for withdrawing the liquid condensate therefrom, `and an outlet pipe 3I for withdrawing from the condenser any uncondensable gases.

In performing the method of my invention with the apparatus described, the liquid to be fractionated is introduced through l.the-inlet pipe 23 and passes downwardly through the bubble plates I8v to the still 2|, where it is vaporized by the heat provided by the steam coil 22. The vapors pass upwardly through the vapor pipes I9 in the bubble plates I8, under the bubble caps 2|) and through the liquid upon the upper surface of the bubble plates I3, thus intimately commingling with the liquid. [This commingling of the vapors .with the liquid serves to condense and lead, with are prevented from cooling by the heat insulating material 39. Thus at every cross section of the stream of vapors in the coil 24, there is estab- `lished a temperature gradient dametrically across the stream with the vapors on the inner side of the stream being cooled more than the vapors on the outer side of the stream.

The temperature and rate of passage of the cooling medium through the cooling jacket [are] may vbe adjusted so that vapors of a. desired condensing point or range of condensing points are condensed by the passage of the mixture of vapors through the coil 24 or that the liquid of low boiling point (low condensing point) or range passes while still in vapor or gaseous form upwardly out of the coil and into a conventional condenser, such as 27 [the] The condensate [being] is either withdrawn through a condensate the incoming liquid to the still 2I, vapors of the hydrocarbons of high condensing points, and serves also to preheat the incoming liquid before it reaches the still 2 I This serves to preheat the incoming liquid and to strip out low boiling components by heat-exchange before the incoming liquid reaches the still 21.

From th'e bubble plate chamber I1 the vapors or gases pass upwardly through the baille IB into the lower end of the coil 24. The vapors or gases entering the coil 24 consist of a mixture of hydrocarbons of ditl'erent condensing points. As this gas mixture passes upwardly through the coil 24, it is subjected to a cooling action by the liquid in the cooling jacket 32. The outer wall 34 of the cooling jacket 32 being in intimate contact with the inner surface of the coil 24 and, if desired. the space between each pair of adjacent turns of the coil 24 and such outer wall 34 being filled with a suitable metal of high conductivity, the cooling liquid within the jacket 32 is maintained in intimate heat conducting relationship with the vapors or gases ascending in the coil 24. l

It is to be noted that' as the stream of vapors [passes] pass upwardly within the coil 24, the portions thereof adjacent the inner side of the coil 24 are subjected to a cooling action by the liquid in the jacket 32, while those portions of the vapors adjacent the outer side of the coil 24 are ot [subjected] subject to this cooling action but g pors on the inner side of the spiral path or stream withdrawal pipe 4I connected through a suitable .trap 42 with the coil 24 adjacent its lower end or returned through the bubble plates I8 to the still 2|, as may be desired. The trap 42 may be of any desired construction, such as a float controlled valve or stream trap, passing liquid therethrough but preventing the passage of vapor therethrough.

vAs the vapors condense upon the inner side of the wall 24, the condensate flows downwardly therethrough in a thin ilim. The surface upon which the vapors thus condense is made extremely large by virtue of the shape of the apparatus described. For example, in a coil of za three foot diameter comprising forty turns of pipe with a. six inch internal diameter, there are presentedapproximately 570 square feet of surface for contact by the vapors. The condensate owing downwardly in a thin illm on the inner side of the coil 24, is, throughout its travel inthe' coil, in intimate contact with [and commingled with] the ascending vapors. This intimate [commingling] contact of the descending reiiux condensate and the ascending vapors insures an exchange between them, so that the lower boiling fractions of the liquid condensate are vaporized and the higher boiling fractions of the vapor are condensed within the coil 24. Since the path of travel of the vapors is very long within the tower I2, the temperature gradient longitudinally within the coil can be made very gradual, and a most accurate separation of the vapors can be achieved.

Tests of the method of my invention performed by apparatus such as described demonstrate a very accurate and complete separation of a mixture of hydrocarbon vapors of condensing points di'ering but slightly from each other. It is my belief thatthis is in part due to the fact that, in accordance. with my invention, the vapors are passed in a spiral path, and a relatively sharp temperature gradient across each part of the path is maintained with the temperature of the vaat a lesser value than the temperature of the vapors on the outer side of the spiral path or stream.

[While I do not desire to be restricted to the theories herein set forth, it is my belief that the accurate fractionation in accordance with my invention of a mixture of vapors of' condensing points differing but slightly from each other is at least in part due to action in accordance with one or both of the above stated theories] In Figure 3 there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of my invention in which the parts like those previously described are identified by like numbers. This embodiment of my invention diners from the embodiment illustrated m nenes 1 and 2 in that the insulating material). is omitted. and there is provided around the coil 24 and within the tower l2 a heating medium 43.l

The heating medium 43 may be of any desired material, such as steam, and is circulated through the tower I2 in intimate contact with the outer surface of the coil 24 by an inlet pipe 44 and an outlet pipe 45.

In many applications of my invention, such asV a material oi' high heat conductivity, such as a suitable metal.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 4 differs from the embodiment illustrated `in Figure 1 in that there is substituted for the cooling jacket 32 of the form shown in Figure l a cooling coil 4l, each convolution of which is positioned between and in contact with two con- .volutions of the vapor coil 24, so that each convolution of the coil 41 is in heat transferring relationship with two convolutions of the vapor coil 24 'In the form of apparatus rof my invention illustrated in Figure 5, adjacent convolutions of a coil 48 for vapors are connected in huid-tight relatonship as by welding 49, the whole of the space 50 within the coil 48 being available for the circulation of a cooling medium. Liquid outlet lines or taps 51 are shown provided with shut off valves 52.

Thestill 2| and the bubble plate chamber l1 may be constructed separately from the tower I2 and separate from each other without departing from my invention. Likewise, there may be substituted for the bubble plates il in the chamber l1 other means of smoothing out the flow of vapors [such as Raschig rings, fullers earth, bauxite, iron turnlngs, etc.]

Further, a plurality of liquid outlet lines may be connected to the coil at different levels, each withdrawing the condensate of vapors having a definite condensing point or range of condensing points, see Figure 5, for example.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the method of my invention contemplates the passage of a mixture of vapors of different condensing points in a curved path so that each section of the stream has a temperature gradient thereacross with the lower temperature at the inner side of the curved ypath or stream and the higher temperature at the outer side, and with a temperature gradient along the stream with the higher temperature at the source of the stream and the [commingling] contact of the reflux condensate with the vapors along the walls deilning the curved path of the stream through the length of the stream. It will also be seen that my invention contemplates the selective condensation of a [liquid which] substance or substances in liquid form from a vapor'or gaseous phase which substance or substances may be a mixture of hydrocarbons all -of which boil within more narrow temperature limits than a mixture of gases or vapors from which they are condensed; or, would ordinarily be dened as having a more narrow boiling point range [from] than [a] the mixture of gases or vapors which containsl [said liquid]` the substance or substances in [its] a gaseous or vapor phase. I'he [the] initial mixture, ot course, [having] has a wider boiling point range than [the liquid but which includes that of the liquid,

that] that of individual substances which make up its content. The portion of the mixture which is not so condensed [Passing] passes through the process as a gas or vapor.

In the process illustrated and described, the condensation takes piace in a helical passage which is provided by the pipe coil, and the condensation takes place [wholly] substantially upon the inner wall portion of the helix formed by the coil, that is, upon the wall'portion nearest the axis of the helix, due to the fact that this inner portion of the wall is cooled below the temperature of the remainder of the wall, or, what amounts to the same thing, the remainder of the paratus of my invention will occur to those skilled in the art, and my invention must be understood therefore as not restricted to the embodiments,

,t steps, or applications [hereinbefore] herein speciilcally set forth.

In accordance with one theory, the heavier molecules of the vapors of higher boiling point travel slower on the average than the lighter molecules of the vapors of lower boiling point. Since the force upon molecules in a vapor mia:- ture within the coil 24 is proportional to the square of their individual and separate velocities, I have reason to believe that the lighter molecules of the vapors of lower condensing point are moved by molecular force action to the outer portion of the spiral stream of vapors and that the heavier molecules of vapors or gases of higher condensing point thus tend to concentrate adiacent the inner side of the spiral stream. It will appear 'that such a concentration serves to increase the number of contacts of the molecules of the latter type with the cooler inner surface of the coil 24 and thus to facilitate their selective condensation. It is my belief that such an effect will be accomplished when the greatest velocity component of such molecules is in the direction of travel of the vapors or gases, or exactly opposite thereto, which condition, because of the random motion of the molecules, may be present over only a fraction of the paths of the separate molecules. It is also believed that where the action is nullifled by the random motion of the molecules, condensation of the lighter molecules colliding with the inner cooler surface is inhibited by their greater energy of motion and their lower condensing temperature.

I also believe that since the lighter molecules of the vapors of lower boiling points have velocities greater than the velocities of the heavier molecules of the vapors of higher boiling points that the former will strike the outer, hotter wall of the coil a proportionately greater number of times in their travel therealong than the latter molecules. Hence, itappears that the lighter molecules will absorb heat energy from contact with such outer wall at a greater rate than the heavier molecules, thus -causing a concentration of the heavier molecules by mass action adjacent the inner cooled surface of the coil 24.

From the gas laws it is known that the average velocities of the molecules are inversely proportional to their molecular weights, and as a result, it is believed that the lighter molecules will be traveling faster than the heavier ones in the 7 spiral coil which leads to a molecular force eflect that is exactly opposite that of a normal centrifuge. In a centrifuge. liquid molecules are all traveling at the same speed, that is, the speed ol the rotor, and their difference in mass causes separation. In the fractionating, uninterruptedly-continuous relatively long path still of my invention, each molecule is a freely moving inf dividual particle constrained only by collision with other molecules and inner walls of a coil. The laws of centrifugal force and motion are based upon the following formula:

v2 a= y T Where F is the force, a is acceleration, v is the velocity, m is the mass, and r is the radius of the coil. It is thus apparent that the squared velocity factor is of primary importance and that the lighter, faster, lower boiling point molecules will be accelerated to outer, hotter portions of the coil and heavier, slower, higher boiling point molecules having lesser acceleration will be forced by mass action from successive 'collision with the morel energetic, faster moving light molecules toward the inner cold wall where they are subiected to a condensing action.

When heat is applied to a mixture of substances in liquid form, it is recognized that the resulting rise in temperature produces a rise of vapor pressure for all the constituents, and that increasing temperature increases the vapor pressures of lower boiling components'more rapidly than those of higher boiling components. Thus, the vapor or gas will contain a greater portion of the lower boiling components than the original mixture and as a result a mixture of vapors or gases within the coil of a molecular still such as illustrated will be richer in lower boiling components than either the original mixture of liquids or the condensed reflux in the coil. v

At any given temperature when a complex substance in the form of a liquid is in contact with its vapor the composition of the vapor tends to become proportional to the vapor pressures of the individual components of the liquid. Il the vapor is removed as it is produced the remaining liquid will then become progressively poorer in those components of higher vapor pressures, i. e., those having lower boiling points.

Selective vaporieing action will be facilitated by maintaining a sharp temperature gradient across the coil which will in e1Tect provide in `the reflux liquid a hot region leading to a larger proportionate removal of lower boiling components and a cold region leading to a larger proportionate retention of high boiling components. Although a coil as utilized in my invention is open at its opposite ends, it can be considered as providing a closed molecular path throughout the length of which ascending vapors are in uninterrupted contact with the surface of descending reflux liquids, certain portions of which are in the form of a film approaching molecular thinness.

iIt will be apparent that in employing my invention there will be a temperature gradient curve for the hot wall of the coil which will be determined primarily by the temperature of the vapors within the coil. A second curve for the cold wall will be shaped in accordance with the temperature of the cooling wall within any given level of the cooling faclcet. However, due to heat conductivity between the two walls. that is.

-Ili

through the metal walls of the coil, there will be a superimposed temperature gradient whichv will in turn cause an incrementof separating action to obtain throughout the length of the coil.

It is definitely known that in any enclosed space filled with a mixture of gases or vapors across which there is maintained a temperature gradient there will be a migration of heavier molecules toward the cooler portion of the coil and an opposite migration of thfe lighter molecules toward the hotter portion thereof. As a general rule, particularly asto substances within the petroleum series, the heavier molecules are those which -have higher boiling points, lower average molecular velocity/,and lower vapor pressure.

While I do not desire to be restricted to the theories herein set forth, it is my belief that the accurate fractionation in accordance with my invention of a' mixture of vapors of condensing points digering but slightly fromeach other is at least in part due to action in accordance with one or both of the above stated theories.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that in accordance with my invention the substances or fractions introduced as a liquid through the inlet pipe 23 are partly vaporized by the still 21 and enter the tower 12 as a mixture of gases having a relatively wide boiling point range as made up by the more narrow boiling point ranges of the individual substances or fractions represented byv` such gas mixture. Substances not vaporized will flow downwardly toward the bottom of the still 21, from which point they may be removed by pipe 21a and sent through an apparatus corresponding to the one described for further treatment. As the gas mixture moves upwardly along the confined passage provided by the coil helix 24, the substance having the highest boiling point is the first condensed as a liquid which then flows by gravity toward the lower end of th'e coil. As the gaseous column progresses upwardly along the coil, substances of progressively lower boiling points, starting with the substance of highest boiling point are selectively condensed out of the column and flow toward the lower end of the coil. I have determined that for a given mixture of gases representing a number of substances or fractions of different boiling points, that the substance or fraction df lowest boiling point will move or flow out of the confined passage as a substantially pure substance through the riser pipe 25. It then can be condensed in any suitable condenser, such as the conventional condenser shown in Figures 1, 1A, and 2, into liquid form and collected at the outlet pipe 30. In ,the

condenser shown, the gas representing such pure substance of lower boiling point or, in other words, of lower condensing point, flows through vertical tubes about which a cooling medium passes. The flow is from an upper to a lower header. Uncondensed gases may leave the lower header through the' pipe 31.

In a single batch utilization, after the first Afraction or substance of lowest or lower boiling point and lowest or lower condensing point has passed through the still, the temperature in the still then rises to the boiling temperature of the next highest or higher fraction or substance contained in the mixture of gases; this substance then flows out through the riser pipe 25 until it is exhausted.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the novel features of my invention may be employed in a continuous operation wherein a series of stills are provided, each one taking o!! successively higher boiling substances or fractions of the mixture used. It can also be used in connection with batch distillation where one still is employed to successively distill oy fractions or substances of successively higher boiling points starting with a substance o'f lower or lowest boiling point of a mixture employed. When speaking of vapors or gases in the claims, I have particular reference to a vapor or gaseous phase of a mixture of substances or of a liquid m'ade up of a mixture of such substances, i. e. vapors in liquid form.

It will thus 'be apparent that a desired substance or substances can be collected at either end of the still. It will also be apparent, in view K o'f the previous explanation, that taps may be employed along the coil to remove substances or fractions of narrower boiling point ranges than the original vapor mixture as they are progressively condensed in the coil.

As shown and described, I preferably so mount the coil 24 that adjacent substantially horizontal wall portions of its convolutions are in a heat conducting relationship with respect to each other. This serves to insure the release of any lower boiling point substance in gaseous or vapor form that may be entrapped in a higher boiling point fraction, substance, or substances that have condensed in a particular convolution or turn of the coil, and that normally flow downwardly as refluel liquid toward thelower end of the con- )ined path provided by the coil. It will be noted in Figures 1 and 3 that the cooling jacket 32 has a substantially spiral-line cooling-surface contact with the coil 24, in other words, there is a localized line contact between walls of the convolutions and the vertical wall of the cooling jacket 32. This is preferred over the arrangement shown, for example, in Figure 4.

It will be apparent than an important feature` of my invention makes possible selective separation of more volatile components of a mixture of vapors by condensing and returning less volatile components of the vapor mixture and in passing the more volatile components in vapor form upwardly out of the still and into a condenser.

With Areference to the example in column 4 of this specification, the length of the coil is 1r DT where r=3.1416, D=the diameter of the coil, and t=the number of turns. That is, the coil length is 3.14x3x40 or about 376 feet.

It will be apparent from a study of the two forms of apparatus utilizing my invention and shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings, that the insulating material along the outer side of the free or unobstructed helical passageway, or in other words, along the side opposite to the actively-cooled or aa'is side thereof (see the jacket 32 of the construction shown in Figure 1) will shield or so protect the passageway provided by the helical coil 24, as to substantially inhibit or eliminate heat loss to the surrounding atmosphere on this particular side along the full extent of the upwardly flowing gases, and will maintain a relatively high condensation-inhibiting temperature along the full extent of this flow side of the gases. In Figure 3 the heating medium serves the same purpose, in that the flow of such medium acts like the insulating material of the structure of Figure 1, to shield or protect the outer side of the upward flow of the gases from sans 10 iected to a cooling medium for selectively condensing-out the gases of progressively lower boiling points, as the mixture of heat-containing gases moves upwardly along the helical passageway. The steps of cooling one side of the closed helical passageway and df insulating or shielding the other side thereof, thus subjects the upwardly flowing gases to a sharp heat gradient across its convolutions. It will be noted that the temperature gradient across the coil prevents the establishment of an equilibrium in any portion of the coil.

I claim as my invention:

[1. A process of selectively condensing a liquid having a narrow boiling point range from amlxture of gases containing said liquid ln lts gaseous phase, said mixture having a wider boiling point range than said liquid, which comprises: passing said mixture of gases into the lower end of a closed passage of helical contour so disposed that any llquld condensed in said passage ows by gravity to the lower end thereof, and the mixture of gases rises through the passage; and

cooling a portion of the wall of the helical passage on the side nearest the axis of the helix to a sumcient degree to cause a condensation from said mixture of the desired liquid, that portion of the mixture not so condensed passing while still in gaseous form out of said passage] [2. A process of selectively condensing allquld having a narrow boiling point range from a mixture of gases containing said liquid ln its gaseous phase, said mixture having a, wider boiling point range than said liquid, which comprises: passing said mixture of gases into the lower end of a closed passage of helical contour so disposed that any liquid condensed ln said passage llows by gravity to the lower end thereof, and the mlxture of gases rises through the passage; and coollng a portion of the wall of the helical passage on the side nearest the axis of the helix to-a lower temperature than the remainder of said wall and to a sumcient degree tocause a condensation from said mixture of the desired liquid, that portion of the mixture not so condensed passing while still in gaseous form out of said passage.)

[3. A process of selectively condensing a liquid having a narrow boiling point range from a mixture of gases containing said liquid in its gaseous phase, said mixture having a wider bolllng point range than said liquid, which comprises:

heat loss along the passageway provided by the helical coil 46. The opposite or inner (axis) side passing said mixture of gases into the lower end of a closed passage of helical contour so disposed that any liquid condensed in said passage flows by gravity to the lower end thereof, land the mlxture of gases rises through the passage; and cooling a portion of one vertical wall of the helical passage to a sumcient degree to cause a condensation from said mixture of the desired liquid, that portion of the mlxture not so condensed passing while still ln gaseous form out of said passage] [4. A process of selectively condensing a liquid having a narrow boiling point range from a mixture of gases containing said liquid in its gas.

ecus phase, said mixture having a wider boiling point range than said liquid, which comprises: passing said mixture of gases into the lower end of a closed passage of helical contour so disposed that any liquid condensed in said passage ows by gravity to the lower end thereof, and the mixture of gases rises through the passage; and cooling a portion of one vertical wall ol.' the helical of the passageway is, on the other hand, subpassage to a lower temperature than the reminder of sus wan and to a mmciet degree w cause condensation from said mixture of the deaired liquid, that portion of the mixture not so condensed passing while still in gaseous form out of sald passage] 5. A fractionating process of selectively condensing-out progressively lower boiling point gases in lliquid form from a mixture of gases having a the upwardly-flowing gases along an opposite side of the helical passageway and maintaining a condensation inhibiting temperature therealong, thereby subjecting the mixture of upwardly-)towing heat-containing gases to a sharp heat gradient across convolutions of the helical passageway and between the above-mentioned opposite sides ol the upward flow of the mixture of gases, freely flowing the condensed-out gases by gravity downwardly along the helical passageway, and continuing the condensing-out action until the gases of progressively lower boiling points are condensed-out from the mixture of gases.

6. A fractionating process of selectively condevising-out progressively lower boiling point gases in liquid form from a mixture of gases having a wider boiling point range and containing gases of progressively lower boiling points which comprises, freely flowing a heat-containing mixture of the gases upwardly along an unobstructedclosed-helical and upwardly-extending passageway, cooling the upwardly-flowing gases along an inner side of the helical passageway and selectively condensing-out the gases of progressively lower boiling point gases along such side for the upward extent of the helical passageway, insulating the upwardly-flowing gases along an outer side of the helical passageway from the surrounding atmosphere and maintaining a relatively high condensation inhibiting temperature therealong, thereby subjecting the mixture of upwardly-flowing-heat-containing gases to a sharp heat gradient across convolutions of the helical passageway and between the above-mentioned opposite sides of the upward flow of the mixture of gases, freely flowing the condensed-out gases by gravity downwardly along the helical passageway, and continuing the condensing-out action until the gases -of progressively lower boiling points are condensed-out Imm the mixture of gases.

7. A fractionating process of selectively separating substantially pure substances of progressively lower boiling points which comprises, freely flowing the substances in the form of gases in a mixture of heat-containing gases upwardly along an unobstructed-closed-helical and upwardlyextending passageway, cooling the upwardly-flowing gases along an inner side of the helical passageway and selectively condensing-out gases along the upward extent thereofv of progressively lower boiling points, substantially eliminating heat loss to the surrounding atmosphere of the upwardly-flowing gases along the upward extent of an outer side of the helical passageway and maintaining a condensation-inhibiting temperature therealong, thereby subjecting the upwardly flowing gases to a sharp heat gradient across convolutions of the helical passageway and between the above-mentioned inner dnd outer sides of the upward flow of gases, freely flowing the condensed-out gases by gravity downwardly along the helical passageway, and continuing the selective condensing-out action alabig the upward extent of the inner side of the helical passageway until the substances of progressively lower boiling points are condensed. and freely flowing the remaining portion of the mixture of gases out of an upper end of the helical passageway.

8. A fractionating process of selectively separating substantially pure substances of progressively lower boiling points which comprises, freely flowing the substances in the form of gases in a mixture of heat-containing gases upwardly along an @obstructed-closed-helical and upwardly-extending passageway, cooling the upwardlyflowing gases along an inner side of the helical passageway and selectively condensing-out gases along the upward extent thereof of progressively lower boiling points, substantially eliminating heat loss to the surrounding atmosphere along the upward extent of an outer side of the helical passageway and maintaining a condensation-inhibiting temperature thereallong, thereby subjecting the upwardly flowing gases to afsharp heat-gradient across convolutions of the helical passageway and between the above-mentioned inner and outer sides of, the upward flow of gases. and maintaining an edective heat-conducting relationship between the gases flowing upwardly along adjacent convolutions of the helical passageway.

9. A fractionating process of selectively separating substantially pure substances 0f prOgfessively lower boiling points which comprises, freely flowing the substances in the form of gases in a mixture of heat-containing gases upwardly along an unobstructed-closed-helical and upwardly-extending passageway, cooling the upwardly-flowing gases along one side of the helical passageway and selectively condensing-out gases of progressively lower boiling points along the upward extent thereof, insulating the upwardlyflowing ygases along an opposite side of the helical passageway from the surrounding atmosphere and maintaining a relatively high and condensation-inhibiting temperature therealong, thereby subjecting the upwardly flowing gases to a sharp heat gradient across convolutions of the helical passageway and between the above-mentioned opposite sides of the upward how of gases, freely flowing the condensed-out gases by gravity downwardly along the helical passageway, continuing the selective condensing-out action along the upward extent of the helical passageway until all thc substances of the mixture of gases except the lowest boiling point substance are condensed, and flowing the lowest boiling point substance as a gas out of an upper end of the passageway.

10. A fractionating process of selectively separating substantially pure substancesof progressively lower boiling points which comprises, freely flowing the substances in the form of gases in a mixture of heat-containing gases upwardly along an unobstructed-closed-helical and upwardlyextending passageway, cooling the upwardlyflowing gases along an inner side representing an axis of the helical passageway and selectively condensing-out gases of progressively lower boiling points along the upward extent thereof, insulating vthe upwardly-flowing gases along an outer and opposite side of the helical passageway from the Surrounding atmosphere and maintaining a rela- 13 tively high and condensation-inhibiting temperature therealong, thereby subiecting the upwardlynowing gases to a sharp heat-gradient across convolutions of the helical passageway and between the above-mentioned opposite sides of the upward flow of gases, freely flowing the condensed-out gases by gravity downwardly along the upward extent of the helical passageway until all the substances of the mixture of gases except the lowest boiling point substance are condensed, and flowing the lowest boiling point substance as a gas out of an upper end of the passageway.

11. A fractionating process of selectively separating substantially pure substances of progressicely lower boiling points which comprises, freely #owing the substances in the form of gases in a mixture of heat-containing gases upwardly along an unobstructed-closed-helical and upwardly extending passageway, cooling the upwardly- )lowing gases'along dn inner side representing an axis of the helical passageway-and selectively condensing-out gases of progressively lower boiling points along the upward extent thereof, insulating the upwardly-)lowing gases along an outer and opposite side o! the helical passageway from the surrounding atmosphere and maintaining a relatively high and condensation-inhibiting temperature therealong, thereby subjecting. the up- Y densed-out gases by gravity downwardly along the upward extent of the helical passageway until all the substances o! the mixture of gases except Number Name Date 890,417 Eyermann June 9, 1909 1,249,480 Pnugfelder Dec, 11, 1917 1,563,718 Brown Dec. 1, 1925 1,568,157 Hess Jan. s, 192s 1,700,923 Fawkes Feb. 5, 1929 1,799,081 Blomquist Mar. 31, 1931 1,924,954 Muller Aug. 29, 1933 1,936,524 Placek Nov. 21, 1933 1,942,858 Hickman Jan. 9, 1934k 1,946,467 Bergholmet al. Feb. 13, 1934 1,956,133 Rsenbled Apr. 24, 1984 1,990,831 Lea. Feb. 12, 1935 2,044,996 Podblelniek June 23, 1936 2,147,671 Pratt Rb.. 21, 1939 2,182,566 Lavigne Dec. 5, 1939 2,224,621 Voorhees Dec. 10, 1949 2,268,134 Clusius Dec. 30, 1941' FOREIGN PATENTS e Number Country Date 492,241 Great Britain ----s'. Sept. 16. 1939 asma y 14 the lowest boiling point substance are condensed, #owing the lowest boiling point substance as a gas out of an upper end of the passageway, and separately condensing the gas representing the gas having the lowest boiling point substance.

FLORIAN V. A'I'KEBON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the me of this patent or the original patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

